Gasteria disticha var. disticha | Gasteria Karoo Spotted Tongue
€7,95
🌱 Morphology
Small, slow-growing, leafless succulent that develops small clumps over time by basal offshoots. Young and adult leaves are characteristically distichous, arranged in two opposite rows, and can reach 6–12 cm in length and 3–4.5 cm in width. They are thick, loriform, ascending, and occasionally recurved, with an obtuse apex ending in a small firm tip.
The surface of both sides is covered by an extraordinary finely rough, sandpaper-like texture (asperulate), and features numerous white spots grouped in irregular transverse bands. The margins are wavy and provided with small whitish and rounded teeth. During drought, the leaves become channeled and their ends curl inwards; they can also acquire reddish or reddish-brown tones that improve their camouflage among the vegetation of the Karoo.
🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
Native to South Africa, mainly the province of Western Cape, with an extensive distribution throughout the Great Karoo and Robertson Karoo, from Beaufort West and Merweville to Rietbron, and southwards through the Breede Valley, Worcester, Robertson, Koo Valley and Ouberg Pass. It occurs up to about 800 m above sea level, growing on outcrops of tillite, sandstone, shale and schist, usually protected under thorny Karoo shrubs. It receives between 100 and 300 mm of annual rainfall, both in winter and summer, with very warm summers and the possibility of frost in northern populations.
Family Asphodelaceae, tribe Alooideae, section Gasteria, series Gasteria, genus Gasteria.
❄️ Temperature — USDA 10
Tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −1 ºC. In cultivation, it is recommended to protect it from intense and prolonged frosts, especially when the substrate remains moist.
☀️ Lighting
Shade–partial shade. In its habitat, it grows protected by shrubs, although it can tolerate more light if gradually acclimated. In very warm climates, it is recommended to avoid intense midday sun. To maintain compact growth and good coloration, approximately 10–20 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR is recommended.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Opportunistic. Its distribution covers regions with both winter and summer rainfall and SANBI recommends watering throughout the year. It is recommended to water thoroughly when the substrate is completely dry, adjusting the frequency to temperature, light and plant activity.
🌸 Flowering
Produces a long flower spike, simple or with some lateral branching, which can reach 20–90 cm and bear numerous hanging flowers. The flowers measure approximately 12–20 mm, are tubular and swollen at the base, and are pink to reddish-pink. Flowering can occur from July to February, peaking around September in the Southern Hemisphere. The plants can reach flowering size after approximately 4 years.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthias & Co. is recommended, with a high content of potassium and bioavailable calcium. It is applied with watering, reducing or suspending fertilization during periods of lower activity.
Pot 9x9 cm
This is an inimitable xerophyte cultivated in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi
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